Los Angeles Kings

**Hongbit** · 07-07-2008, 02:21 AM

Here's the offseason activity of the 2nd worst team in the league.

The Kings have jettisoned Michael Cammelieri, Lubo Visnovsky, and Rob Blake. That's the captain and the two alternates if you're keeping score at home. They've also added Jarrett Stoll, some guy named Matt Greene, and some old French-Canadian defenseman that was waived by two teams last year. Amazingly, Jason LaBarbera is still #1 on the goalie depth chart. They are currently fighting to make the salary cap minimum that all teams must have despite having the 2nd largest market and a state of the art arena.

GM Dean Lombardi has been practicing in the mirror and has now memorized "With the 1st selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings select John Tavares from the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League."

**lordstanley** · 07-07-2008, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by Hongbit

GM Dean Lombardi has been practicing in the mirror and has now memorized "With the 1st selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings select John Tavares from the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League."

And the joke on Lombardi is that Tavares is coming off an iffy year and isn't absolutely 100% certain of being #1 overall. He probably will be, and the "iffy"-ness can largely be chalked up to running out of steam after Christmas of a long jammed schedule, but there are least some questions about him now.

That's sad about L.A. the way you describe it Hongbit. A strong team in L.A. city helps the league. Wish the Ducks roster was playing as the L.A. Kings and the Kings roster was banished to Anaheim.

**El Gato Pollo Loco!!** · 07-07-2008, 10:43 AM

Here, I thought the post was simply going to say "are terrible", in which I would have no choice but to agree. Amazing how bad they've come out of the lockout.

**EatEmUpTigers711** · 07-07-2008, 08:06 PM

Looks like they have no problem being at the bottom of the league standings.......and it also looks like they won't be leaving that spot any time soon either.....

**tys-spikes84** · 07-07-2008, 08:54 PM

They really missed their opportunity to bring back Melrose and return to the glory days, because everyone knows it was all his Barry baby.

**Hongbit** · 07-07-2008, 11:24 PM

Don't get me started on their coach. Worst in the league by far.

**iceteebone** · 07-08-2008, 11:29 AM

I don't understand hockey I guess but when the rumors were flying about Malkin going to LA, they said the Kings were thinking about their future. Malkin is 21 and an established star. How is that not thinking about the future?

**cruzer1** · 07-08-2008, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by iceteebone

I don't understand hockey I guess but when the rumors were flying about Malkin going to LA, they said the Kings were thinking about their future. Malkin is 21 and an established star. How is that not thinking about the future?

Malkin isn't Gretzky. They might have to move from LA. Not really a hockey town, is it?

**Buddha** · 07-08-2008, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Malkin isn't Gretzky. They might have to move from LA. Not really a hockey town, is it?

Why would the Kings move from LA? The Kings get really good support out there.

**iceteebone** · 07-08-2008, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Malkin isn't Gretzky. They might have to move from LA. Not really a hockey town, is it?

I don't understand what you are saying. Is their #2 pick going to be Gretzky? Are you saying by trading that pick for Malkin is going to cause the franchise to leave LA?

**AlKalineIsGod** · 07-22-2008, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Malkin isn't Gretzky. They might have to move from LA. Not really a hockey town, is it?

LA loves its Hockey team no matter what.

I have been to MANY Kings games as I have friends that have had Season Tickets for the last 15 yrs and the Kings ALWAYS have packed games. I see lots of the same people I have seen for many many yrs there. When I go there for the Wings games its LOADED with Wings fans and the Chants of RED WINGS SUCK.........

They have a Cartman Jumbo Tron with him chanting it and it gets everyone going.......

But yeah Kings fans are hardcore and passionate even when there team sucks....

**Hongbit** · 10-07-2008, 02:58 AM

The time is now for everyone that has been waiting for the Kings to finalize the roster. I also listed their ages as that should help to put things in perspective.

1st Line - Matt Moulson(24)/Anze Kopitar(21)/Dustin Brown(23)
2nd Line - Alex Frolov(26)/Jarrett Stoll(25)/Oscar Moller(19)
3rd Line - Brad Richardson(23)/Michael Handzus (31)/Wayne Simmonds(20)
4th Line - Kyle Calder(29)/Brian Boyle (23)/John Zeiler (23)

Defense Pairings
Jack Johnson (21)/Matt Greene(25)
Tom Preissing (29)/Denis Gauthier(29)
Drew Doughty (18)/Sean O'Donnell(36)

Goalies
Jason LaBarbara
Erik Ersberg

I don't have to see anyone else's roster to call this the youngest team in the league. It's going to be a long season at Staples Center. Fighting for 20 wins and a low 50's point total is a real possibility. It would be a monumental effort for this team to earn the 8th playoff spot in the Western Conference. Taveras seems like a much more likely possibility.

**BigDom** · 10-07-2008, 05:06 AM

Originally Posted by Hongbit

The time is now for everyone that has been waiting for the Kings to finalize the roster. I also listed their ages as that should help to put things in perspective.

1st Line - Matt Moulson(24)/Anze Kopitar(21)/Dustin Brown(23)
2nd Line - Alex Frolov(26)/Jarrett Stoll(25)/Oscar Moller(19)
3rd Line - Brad Richardson(23)/Michael Handzus (31)/Wayne Simmonds(20)
4th Line - Kyle Calder(29)/Brian Boyle (23)/John Zeiler (23)

Defense Pairings
Jack Johnson (21)/Matt Greene(25)
Tom Preissing (29)/Denis Gauthier(29)
Drew Doughty (18)/Sean O'Donnell(36)

Goalies
Jason LaBarbara
Erik Ersberg

I don't have to see anyone else's roster to call this the youngest team in the league. It's going to be a long season at Staples Center. Fighting for 20 wins and a low 50's point total is a real possibility. It would be a monumental effort for this team to earn the 8th playoff spot in the Western Conference. Taveras seems like a much more likely possibility.

Any word yet on who's captaining the team?

**jonjd** · 10-07-2008, 05:24 AM

There is no question that the Kings are young and have a lot of holes. Funny enough, they have a GM who is widely recognized as a guy who prefers veterans.

Their goaltending is absolutely horrendous and arguably the worst in the league. With the exception of Kopitar, Brown, Frolov and Stoll, their forwards are just reeking of inexperience and mediocrity. They have a proven coach in Terry Murray, yet he has been out of the league (as a head coach) for a good 7-8 years. The only brightside, IMO, is that they have two future all-stars on defence with Johnson and Doughty.

It should be fun.

**Hongbit** · 10-07-2008, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by jonjd

There is no question that the Kings are young and have a lot of holes. Funny enough, they have a GM who is widely recognized as a guy who prefers veterans.

Their goaltending is absolutely horrendous and arguably the worst in the league. With the exception of Kopitar, Brown, Frolov and Stoll, their forwards are just reeking of inexperience and mediocrity. They have a proven coach in Terry Murray, yet he has been out of the league (as a head coach) for a good 7-8 years. The only brightside, IMO, is that they have two future all-stars on defence with Johnson and Doughty.

It should be fun.

Pretty solid assessment. Everyone is pretty excited to see Doughty in action. It's a very good thing when scouts say he reminds them of Ray Bourque and that his future ceiling is unlimited. I hope he can handle the everyday grind of the NHL as an 18 year old.

They also have 19 year old D Thomas Hickey (#4 overall in 2007) back in the WHL. Basically, they won't be selecting another blue liner in Hedman if given the opportunity in June. They still think 20 year old Jonathan Bernier can be their goalie of the future. He got injured in camp and never really gave himself a chance to make the team. I'm also really shocked that Lombardi chose to enter another season with LaBarbera minding the pipes. This seems an awful lot like DD choosing to not add bullpen help last winter for the Tigers. They do also have 23 year old Patrick O'Sullivan who was acquired a couple years ago from the Wild for Pavol Demitra. Although he is currently holding out, he had his breakout season last year with 22 goals and 53 points.

The captain will most likely be either Kopitar or Brown. Stoll will most likely be an alternate.

**EatEmUpTigers711** · 10-07-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Hongbit

Pretty solid assessment. Everyone is pretty excited to see Doughty in action. It's a very good thing when scouts say he reminds them of Ray Bourque and that his future ceiling is unlimited. I hope he can handle the everyday grind of the NHL as an 18 year old.

They also have 19 year old D Thomas Hickey (#4 overall in 2007) back in the WHL. Basically, they won't be selecting another blue liner in Hedman if given the opportunity in June. They still think 20 year old Jonathan Bernier can be their goalie of the future. He got injured in camp and never really gave himself a chance to make the team. I'm also really shocked that Lombardi chose to enter another season with LaBarbera minding the pipes. This seems an awful lot like DD choosing to not add bullpen help last winter for the Tigers. They do also have 23 year old Patrick O'Sullivan who was acquired a couple years ago from the Wild for Pavol Demitra. Although he is currently holding out, he had his breakout season last year with 22 goals and 53 points.

The captain will most likely be either Kopitar or Brown. Stoll will most likely be an alternate.

They might just be waiting for Bernier to get healthy & come back as far as goalie talks go......old man Khabibulin is still out there too right?.......

**Hongbit** · 10-07-2008, 11:52 PM

Patrick O'Sullivan signed and will play LW on the top line alongside Brown & Anze. Dustin Brown will also be announced as the Captain in the morning.

**Timberwolf** · 10-08-2008, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Hongbit

Patrick O'Sullivan signed and will play LW on the top line alongside Brown & Anze. Dustin Brown will also be announced as the Captain in the morning.

It's safe to say the Kings ripped the Wild off by trading Pavol Demitra for Patrick O'Sullivan. Demitra hasn't exactly been great for the Wild, and he is not with the team anymore.

**ballmich** · 10-08-2008, 06:24 PM

I didn't even realize that the NHL still existed until I was invited to go sit in a box at Staples to watch a Kings game this weekend. I think it might be opening night or something too. Anyone know who they are playing?

**Hongbit** · 10-08-2008, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by ballmich

I didn't even realize that the NHL still existed until I was invited to go sit in a box at Staples to watch a Kings game this weekend. I think it might be opening night or something too. Anyone know who they are playing?

While it seems like a nice gesture that someone would invite you to their box for a Kings game, the reality is if they really liked you it would be the Lakers.

**Kdoogie24** · 10-08-2008, 06:54 PM

They will probably be terrible this year, but in the next few years I hope they start making some noise. I have seen Doughty play alot, he is from my hometown of London...we have an amazing junior program here. When you look at the list of young guys they have, its clear that they will compete at some point. Kopitar, Frolov, Doughty, O'Sullivan, Brown, and Bernier is an excellent goalie...just needs time. They could end up in the same situation as Pittsburgh soon...(not enough big contracts for the amount of good players)

**jp131** · 10-08-2008, 07:47 PM

I'm not sure that they have as much high end young talent as Pittsburgh had in the pipeline, but you've certainly got some talent to build around up front (Kopitar, Frolov, Brown and O'Sullivan) and on the back end (Doughty and JMFJ) and the cap space to fill in with a big splash either at forward, at goal or both sometime in the next couple of years. And I really like the move to grab O'Donnell to put next to Doughty. Having a solid (albeit declining) stay-at-home guy to pair with the young offensive-minded guy could help Doughty's comfort level.

And you can look on the bright side, Hongbit...at least you're not an Islanders fan.

**ballmich** · 10-09-2008, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Hongbit

While it seems like a nice gesture that someone would invite you to their box for a Kings game, the reality is if they really liked you it would be the Lakers.

Actually, the company I work for has a box at Staples (and other seats), so I could go to a Lakers game. But I'd have to take a client to get into the box, and I don't like my clients well enough to spend an evening with them... Non-box seats are always available for employees, if not being used for business purposes, so I could go see the Lakers that way without clients, but find watching the NBA a distasteful experience.

I'm getting forced into this Kings game because my wife was invited by her friend whose husband's company gave him the box for the night.

Hong, maybe if you denounced the Trojans and become a Wolverine fan, I'd consider taking you to a Laker/Kings/Dodgers/Angels/Chargers game (your choice). Or I think we have Hollywood bowl seats too... But seriously it would have to be some seriously defamatory comments regarding the Trojans to get me there.